Barely a month into our marriage, my wife’s sister ran off with her lover.
Just as I pushed open the door, ready to comfort her, Seraphina Thorne handed me a document.
Asher, Ryker Sterling’s vast empire can’t be without an heir. I’ve decided to bear him a child in Mallory’s place.
It hit me like a lightning bolt. I ripped the agreement to shreds, roaring,
“Seraphina Thorne, it’s the 21st century! Who treats their marriage like a business deal, offering up their spouse to someone else? What the hell do you think I am?!”
Seraphina stared at me, unyielding.
“Asher, it’s only for three years. I’ll come back afterward, and I’ll still be your wife.”
“If Mom had only given birth to me back then, I would have been the one marrying Ryker Sterling. You wouldn’t even be in the picture.”
My heart ached as I looked at the frantic Seraphina. Her familiar face had turned cold.
“I’ll allow you to use IVF for a surrogate. That’s my biggest compromise.”
Seraphina stood up, silently producing another agreement.
“Sterling Holdings’ heir can’t be some cold, sterile product of science. It has to be born of passion.”
She looked at me without a hint of shame.
“For our families’ alliance, this child must be born. I’m merely informing you, not negotiating.”
I clenched my fists, finally giving up completely.
“Seraphina, let’s get a divorce.”
Her mother immediately stood up, slamming a slap across my face.
“Seraphina has been so good to you, and you dare to suggest divorce? You’re utterly ungrateful!”
Inside, the Thorne family relatives began to crowd around, trying to persuade me.
“Asher, Seraphina still loves you. Otherwise, if she secretly got pregnant with Ryker Sterling’s child, you wouldn’t even know, would you?”
“Exactly! Seraphina is doing this for the Thorne family. If Ryker Sterling gets angry, Thorne Industries will be in danger.”
I stared in shock at these elders, spouting such nonsense, then let out a hollow laugh.
Seraphina, mortified, yelled,
“Stop talking, everyone! Asher will understand!”
I scanned the room, looking at the furious relatives.
These were the people, this was the company I’d saved, sacrificing a lucrative offer from a Fortune 500 company, pouring my heart and soul into it.
A sharp, desolate pain pierced my chest. I lifted my head, forcing back tears, and looked at Seraphina.
“Seraphina, we’ve weathered so many storms together. Do you really have to sacrifice our marriage for the future of Thorne Industries?”
Seraphina fell silent, then, after a long moment, looked at me pleadingly.
“Asher, I’m not trading our marriage for Thorne Industries’ future. No matter what, I’ll always be your wife, the one who loves you most.”
“Asher, just think about it. Ryker Sterling is the richest man, his intellect and capabilities are unmatched, and he’s closely connected to several major families in New York. Your health condition,…”
I stared at Seraphina in disbelief. She was finally speaking her mind.
So, she had always looked down on my poor health, which was why she insisted on contraception throughout our six years together.
But who did I drink myself sick for, damaging my liver? Who did I fight tooth and nail for, sacrificing a third of my stomach just to close those deals?
A tear splashed onto the back of my hand. I lifted my head, my voice hoarse, and said,
“Seraphina, what if I absolutely refuse?”
“Asher, I know it’s hard for you to accept right now. It’s okay… I’ll give you time to think it over.”
A flicker of guilt crossed Seraphina’s face, then she raised her voice.
“A joint heir for the Thorne and Sterling familiesI *will* bear this child. It’s for the company. You need to think long-term, don’t throw a tantrum.”
I smiled bitterly, tears in my eyes, as I looked at Seraphina.
At twenty-six, she was young and beautiful, already exuding the sharp aura of a powerful businesswoman.
“You mean, not only are you going to have a child with Ryker Sterling, but this child will also inherit everything we have?”
“And I, a cripple, am just a tool for making money, destined to live my entire life without my own children?”
Seraphina pressed her lips together, her voice gone, her expression complex as she looked at me. All the relatives shifted their gazes uncomfortably.
They stood up, offered a few more words of persuasion, and then quickly left.
Seraphina also left indifferently, closing the door behind her.
I sat there all night. As a sliver of dawn painted the sky, I wiped away my tears and called the company lawyer.
“Please draft a divorce agreement for me. I want a divorce.”
Once the truth was out, Seraphina stopped trying to hide anything, openly beginning to flirt with Ryker Sterling.
When the private detective sent me the investigation reports and photos, my hand trembled, and it took all my courage to open them.
September 11th, 12 PM: Seraphina delivered chicken soup to Ryker Sterling.
They stayed in his executive office until 1:30 PM.
That evening, Seraphina waited at the hotel entrance.
At 11 PM, she picked up Ryker Sterling and drove him home, not returning herself all night.
September 12th, 8 AM: Seraphina spent two hours preparing seafood porridge and delivered it to Ryker Sterling’s office. They spent an hour together.
September 13th: The two went shopping. Seraphina bought Ryker Sterling a suit and personally chose and tied a tie for him.
September 14th, …
Seraphina, who never used social media, posted a romantic photo from a high-end restaurant for the first time.
Vibrant roses were presented to a pair of distinctly defined hands, and even the caption radiated boundless happiness:
“My luck, being with you.”
The clinking wine glasses pricked my eyes.
After much thought, I commented below,
“Dating another man? What about your husband?”
Almost instantly, the comment was deleted. Immediately afterward, Seraphina sent several 60-second voice messages.
“What were you doing commenting that nonsense? How do you expect people to react to *him*?”
“You’re becoming so petty, getting upset over every little thing. I was just trying to win him over so we could have a child sooner.”
Her mother was also furious. She stormed into our house, pointing at me and cursing,
“Seraphina is younger than you and understands the importance of the company. You’ve lived thirty years for nothing; no wonder you’re a good-for-nothing!”
“My family helped you become Vice President, gave you status and reputation, and you’re still not satisfied? You want to ruin Seraphina’s big plans!”
“I’m telling you, if Ryker Sterling rejects Seraphina because of you, I’ll never forgive you!”
I stared at her mother in shock. These were the ‘relatives’ I had honored like a mother, now humiliating and berating me with the most vicious words.
I finally gave up completely, slowly handing her the divorce agreement.
“Since I am so worthless, have Seraphina sign this. I won’t hinder her grand plan to revitalize Thorne Industries.”
Her mother saw that I wasn’t just refusing to admit fault, but was even threatening them with divorce.
She instantly flew into a rage, grabbing a vase from the coffee table and smashing it onto my head.
“Your parents must have been absolute trash, raising such a disrespectful nobody. Today I’ll teach you some manners right now!”
She then picked up the ashtray and smashed it on my head again with a *thud*.
She glared at me fiercely, then spat on my face.
“Such a pauper! Seraphina must have been blind to ever look at you.”
I clutched my head, looking coldly at her mother.
Ever since Thorne Industries escaped its crisis and got back on track, she had always looked at me with disdain.
She always felt that I had climbed too high by marrying Seraphina, otherwise her second daughter could have married a rich young master, an heir to a top fortune, just like her eldest.
But she forgot that it was she who had once clasped my hand, telling me how much she appreciated my hard work.
She was the one who said I was the Thorne family’s savior, who, with a desperate spirit, helped Thorne Industries overcome its crisis.
I had knelt in the bank president’s office, begging for loans. I had waited on a business partner’s father in the hospital, saving lost orders…
I finally understood that some people only see profit, never emotion.
Apparently, selfishness is hereditary.
My heart suddenly calmed, no longer feeling any sorrow.
Ignoring her mother’s continued shouting, I grabbed my car keys and rushed to the hospital.
As I reached the second floor, I saw Seraphina walking over, clinging shyly to Ryker Sterling’s arm.
The moment our eyes met, Seraphina’s face flashed with panic and embarrassment, then she quickly turned away and cleared her throat.
“What happened to your head?”
Then, with disgust, she added,
“Look at you. What are you even capable of? A grown man getting his head covered in blood. If you had even an ounce of Ryker’s capability, I wouldn’t have to work so hard.”
My gaze sharpened as I looked at Ryker Sterling beside her.
The man’s expression was icy, his eyes dark and unreadable.
At that moment, I admitted that I couldn’t compare to him; he was indeed unfathomable.
“Alright, go get yourself checked out. Just don’t cause any more trouble.”
She then walked away, arm in arm with Ryker Sterling, without a backward glance, as if afraid of touching something dirty.
Just as they turned the corner of the staircase, Seraphina’s message arrived.
“I’m pregnant. Ryker is throwing a party for me this Wednesday. You absolutely must attend.”
“Ryker wants the child to be announced as yours publicly, then given to him after it’s born. Remember, don’t say anything out of line.”
I calmly deleted the message, then looked at the one my lawyer had sent me.
“Mr. Vance, if you’re willing to walk away with nothing, the divorce proceedings will be quick. But if you want to divide assets, it will be more complicated, and you’ll have to wait a while.”
I looked at the message and replied,
“I’m entrusting you to liquidate the assets I’m entitled to. I’m not walking away empty-handed.”
From graduating college and joining the failing Thorne Industries, I single-handedly orchestrated a success story, generating over a hundred million in profit in just three months.
Why should I meekly walk away with nothing?
I would take back what was mine. I’d rather donate my things than let that bastard child benefit from them.
On Wednesday, I arrived promptly.
Seraphina, arm in arm with Ryker Sterling, moved among the guests, soaking in their flattery.
Ryker Sterling, too, smiled and conversed with everyone.
I calmly handed my gift to Seraphina. She merely glanced at it, then, to avoid suspicion, stood three feet away.
“Ryker has already given me a dozen gifts. You don’t need to join in.”
I offered a faint smile.
“Fine.”
It seemed she already considered Ryker Sterling her husband. My gift, from her actual husband, was just “joining in.”
I turned and handed the gift to Mr. Brooks, the family butler.
“It’s for your mistress. Please take it back to her.”
Mr. Brooks immediately thanked me profusely.
“Mr. Vance, you’re too kind. I thank you on her behalf.”
He bowed to me.
See? Sometimes, a casual kindness to a stranger earns you overwhelming gratitude.
But some people, no matter how good you are to them, they just take it for granted, thinking you’re nothing more than a simp, and that your devotion is just their due.
Some business acquaintances came up to congratulate me.
“Mr. Vance, you’re finally going to be a father! Congratulations!”
Then, with a puzzled expression, one added,
“Mr. Vance, why aren’t you personally looking after Mrs. Thorne? Why is Mr. Sterling always doing it?”
I smiled calmly.
“It’s all the same. We’re family. No need to distinguish so clearly.”
The people around us looked at me with curiosity, then at Seraphina and Ryker Sterling, who were standing close together.
They seemed to understand something, exchanging knowing smiles.
Finally, a small voice from a corner piped up,
“Mommy, the lady and gentleman look so good together! Their baby must be beautiful.”
The grand hall fell silent. Everyone awkwardly looked at each other.
Seraphina’s face flushed. Reluctantly, she walked over and linked her arm through mine.
Then, with a disgusted whisper, she said,
“Can’t you just stand next to me without being told? Do you want people to laugh at me?”
I smiled indifferently.
“I was wondering if Ryker Sterling would be angry, thinking I was still trying to claim you.”
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Seraphina’s face.
“At least you’re sensible enough to know your place. Ryker hates messy situations. From now on, you need to be careful when you see me. For the next three years, I am not your wife, you need to remember that. Don’t do anything to upset Ryker.”
I scoffed, saying nothing more, and enthusiastically greeted the guests.
Once everyone was happy, Seraphina abruptly let go of my arm, shaking her evening gown as if to remove something unpleasant.
“Ryker and I are going home. The housekeeper has prepared nourishing soup for my pregnancy. You can go home on your own.”
“I need to be with Ryker and rest for the baby these days. I’m leaving the company to you. Be diligent and don’t let anything go wrong.”
With that, she linked her arm through Ryker Sterling’s and walked out.
It seemed that, in her heart, Ryker Sterling was already her husband, and the Sterling estate was her home.
I smiled and walked out into the night.
“Detective Jones, I need you to do something for me. One million up front, and we’ll settle any additional expenses.”
I wondered if her own sister, Mallory, would ever return home one day, and if Seraphina would still have a place there.
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